Functionally, backsplashes serve to protect wall surfaces from food splatter and moisture. However, they also have a large impact on the tone of a kitchen. Poor coordination can make even the most individually beautiful countertops and backsplashes look unappealing when placed together. Here are five tips to pairing countertops with backsplashes:
1. Choose a theme
Choosing a theme is one of the very first steps to any design. You may like modern looking countertops, but if you pair them with a rustic backsplash, the look will not flow. It is important to use a theme as a guideline when choosing material and color. This helps to create a well put together aesthetic. It also gives you a goal to work towards when crafting your design. Not having a goal in mind for the tone of the room makes it difficult to find a direction. Knowing your direction also helps to narrow down your options and make choices easier.
2. Avoid an overwhelmed look
Backsplashes come in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures. A backsplash can balance out a room that has too many of the same textures, break up a color scheme, or bring an otherwise bland design to life. That being said, they can also overwhelm a look with too many different elements if uncoordinated. Individually, bold patterns may be stunning. However, placing two strong patterns together is difficult to look at and actually detracts from the excitement of incorporating a bold pattern. Try to stick to one pattern to highlight as a focal point. In this case, less is more. In addition to pattern, you should also be careful not to add too many colors into one room. With some things, colorful is cheerful. In a kitchen, on the other hand, too many colors are overwhelming and may even look messy. Furthermore, texture is another consideration. Glass tiles, for example, are offered in matte or shiny texture. They can also be found in a variety of surface textures. If the kitchen is full of shiny textures, a matte backsplash can be a refreshing change of texture. In a kitchen already containing texture variety, adding even more variation is not always a good idea. Be strategic when designing a backsplash to go with your countertops.
3. Consider cabinets
Cabinets are easy to forget about while pairing countertops and backsplashes. Despite this, even if your countertop and backsplash seemingly match, clashing cabinets have the ability to throw off the entire look. Do not worry, this is not necessarily a frightening factor. You can actually use it to your advantage. For instance, if your cabinets and countertops share some of the primary shades, you can incorporate a contrasting backsplash to add a pop of excitement. If your countertops and cabinets have a very subtle shade in common, a patterned backsplash can build upon the look, making it more eye-catching. Furthermore, if your cabinets are a completely different color than your countertops, the backsplash can connect complimentary and contrasting tones to make everything flow together in an appealing manner. Do not overlook cabinets when deciding on a countertop and backsplash.
4. Take samples home
We have said this before, and we will say it again: take samples home! This applies to all color and material samples, as they will look different in the store than in the room that they are intended for. This is due to lighting, undertones, complimentary and contrasting colors, etc. This ties back to the above mentioned tips as well. Multiple factors go into crafting a well put together aesthetic, so it is difficult to make a prediction when viewing components separately. You do not want to risk choosing a perfectly paired countertop and backsplash, only to find after installation that you do not like the way they look against your cabinets. In addition, lighting may bring out elements in the material that you previously did not notice. minimize the surprises by bringing samples home before making a decision. You may even fall in love with a color that you did not favor in store.
5. Make it your own
Backsplash are yet another way to customize your kitchen. They allow you to incorporate a variety of different colors, textures, and patterns. Consider them an opportunity to individualize your kitchen even further. You may have very common countertops, but paired with an exotic backsplash, you can preserve your uniqueness. They also allow you to have a neutral countertop color, yet a lively look by providing a pop of color or an interesting pattern. Backsplashes are an element of customization that will make the design process even more fun for you!
Hopefully these tips are helpful to you when pairing countertops and backsplashes. These two components can create a stunning kitchen design, so we want to ensure that you have all the resources to create your dream kitchen. Of course, you can contact us directly and we will be more than happy to provide you with additional help and information!